Sting Like a Bee.

       In Finland recently, according to an article in the New York times this morning, a man got a speeding ticket for going 64 mph in a 50 mph speed zone. His fine amounted to almost $58,000. You heard it right, the fine was 54,024 euros, which is about $58,000. Why such a high fine? Because he can afford it. If his salary was only 50,000 euros (about $54,000) his fine would have been 345 euros, about $370, but his 2013 income was over six and a half million.
       Finland has a progressive tax system and a progressive fine system as well. The idea being if it stings someone with a lower income it should sting a wealthier person as much. And to do that you have to go on percentages. But the guy that got that $58,000 fine claims he was thinking about buying a new Mercedes Benz and now he can't, or won't. He's thinking of moving out of Finland permanently.
       Actually this idea has been in force going back to the 1920s for things like petty theft and assault. Speeding fines go back to the 1970s. And it worked. It seriously reduced the prison populations. So, is it really such a bad idea? Think about it. If you're thinking of slapping somebody around, a hefty fine might make you stop and think about it twice. And shoplifting? Can you imagine such a high fine that you'd have to give up the idea of enjoying a weekend at the shore, or a new yacht?
       The thing is, the poor just can't afford to do dumb crimes and the rich would think too highly of their money to do dumb crimes. So let's take advantage of these facts. Just think of our prison system here in  America. With a plan like this we'd have far fewer people doing the crimes. We could use lower prison populations, right? Why, the savings to our criminal justice system would be a welcome budget savings and the added income would help to cut the deficit. We might even be able to cut back on the sizes of our police forces.
       I realize this wouldn't go down well with the Wall Street crowd, but hey, everything has been going their way for years. It's time to help the little guy for a change. And help the country as well. It's a win-win-win policy. That's why it'll never happen here.